Hurricane 828 Vacuum Training
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Enter your name and password to begin.
The fastest way to strip gravel ballast off a built-up roof — when it's set up and started in the right order. Master hose securement, the startup and pressurization sequence, outrigger leveling, and the suction cycle.
Jimmy from Hamstra Roofing walks through the entire startup, setup, and operation of the Hurricane 828 vacuum — step by step, in the order it's actually done on the roof.
The Hurricane 828 is a high-suction rock vacuum — jokingly, "the Porsche of vacuums" — built to strip gravel ballast off built-up roofs. Everything starts with securing the hose to the chamber, and the suction is strong enough that securement is a safety issue, not a convenience.
Press play to watch this module straight through, or tap a clip to jump to just that step. Playback pauses at the end of the section.
The roof vacuum unit featured in this training.
Vacuums loose gravel ballast off the roof and into its chamber.
The hose feeds rock into the chamber, which later releases its load.
A clamp PLUS a backup rope — because the suction is so strong.
There is a set procedure to turning this machine on. On this job the crew runs a few steps out of the normal order — for safety reasons — because the trailer the rock is dumped into sits up high.
The very first action is to attach the hose to the chamber and get the plug connected, before the machine is positioned or started. Doing the hookup first keeps the rest of the sequence controlled and predictable.
Attach the hose to the chamber and clamp it in. Then add a rope as a second securement. The machine pulls a lot of suction — if a clamp were ever to fail, the rope catches the hose instead of letting it fly off and hurt someone or damage equipment.
True or False — 4 questions, 25 pts each
Module 1 Score
Before the machine does any work it has to be checked, woken up, and pressurized — in that order. Skip the cycle time or move before the air pressure is up and you risk damaging the machine.
Press play to watch this module straight through, or tap a clip to jump to just that step. Playback pauses at the end of the section.
Before getting the machine running, check the oil level through the sight glass. The oil should read between half and three-quarters full to be good to turn on.
The cycle gives the system time to prime before it has to crank.
After the machine starts, do not do anything else until the gauge climbs above 90 PSI. Wait for the pressure to build before moving on to lifting the chamber, repositioning, or any other step.
Oil should read between half and three-quarters full before turning on.
Let the machine cycle in the ON position before turning the key to start.
Do nothing else until the pressure gauge climbs above 90 PSI.
The oil level is checked through the sight glass on the machine.
Drag and drop — match each value to its meaning. 4 pairs, 25 pts each.
Module 2 Score
A tall trailer changes the order of operations. Lift the chamber, drop the safety blocks, back in with a spotter, protect the roof, then level the machine on its outriggers before it can run.
Press play to watch this module straight through, or tap a clip to jump to just that step. Playback pauses at the end of the section.
There are two levers on the machine:
Normally you'd back over the trailer first — but because this trailer sits up high, the crew lifts the chamber up first, then slowly backs it up. Reordering this step keeps the chamber clear of the tall trailer.
Once the chamber is raised, move the red safety blocks down as low as they will go. This is an extra precaution: if the hydraulics were ever to let out, the blocks keep the chamber from falling.
With the chamber blocked off, back the unit over the trailer. Because the hose is connected, double-check every clearance so you don't back into anything.
Once the machine is backed into place:
Because the trailer is tall, raise the chamber before backing over it.
Lower the red blocks all the way as a fail-safe under the raised chamber.
Placed under the outriggers so the legs don't damage the roof.
Both sides must be set to the exact same height before leveling.
Multiple choice — 5 questions, 20 pts each
Module 3 Score
With the machine level and pressurized, the restart is the same key sequence — then the clutch and start order, and finally the two timers that define the suck-and-release cycle.
Press play to watch this module straight through, or tap a clip to jump to just that step. Playback pauses at the end of the section.
Once all the outriggers are down, you're ready to get the machine working. The restart repeats the same key sequence used at first: key to on, let it cycle 15–20 seconds, then start. From there:
When the loud noise calms down, you'll hear it start sucking rock in through the hose.
The machine runs on two timers that together make up its cycle:
| Timer | Setting | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Long timer | 8 minutes | The hose sucks rock into the chamber for eight minutes. |
| Short timer | 30 seconds | After the 8 minutes, the chamber releases (dumps) for 30 seconds. |
That suck-then-release pattern is essentially the cycle the machine repeats as it strips the roof.
Pull the clutch before flipping the start controls.
Operate the start controls from top to bottom — one, two, three.
The long timer sucks rock into the chamber for eight minutes.
The short timer releases the chamber for thirty seconds.
Multiple choice — 4 questions, 25 pts each
Module 4 Score
Five categories pulled straight from the walkthrough — the machine, startup, setup and leveling, safety, and the cycle. Earn up to 200 bonus points before the final exam.
15 questions covering the whole procedure. 45 seconds per question. 20 points each. Complete the exam to unlock your certificate.
All modules covered · 45 seconds per question · 20 pts each · 300 pts total
Total Points Earned
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